War against dengue will continue:CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that new history was written by defeating dengue in the previous years while the same spirit will be displayed in future as well for complete eradication of this menace. He said that anti-dengue day will be observed throughout the province on August 18 and an effective media campaign will be launched for promoting public awareness in this regard. He said that cooperation of masses is of vital importance for curbing dengue virus.

He was addressing a meeting to review measures for controlling dengue, here today. Provincial Ministers, elected representatives, Chief Secretary, Provincial Secretaries, Commissioners, DCOs and experts were present. Secretaries of various provincial departments gave a detailed briefing regarding the steps taken for elimination of dengue.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister said that no effort will be spared for complete eradication of dengue. He said that the war against dengue is not yet over and efforts will be continued till complete elimination of this fatal disease. He said that dengue will be rooted out through cooperation of people and the effective measures taken by the government. He said that anti-dengue day will be observed vigorously on August 18 and all segments of the society will come out to support the government in the fight against this menace. He said that all out resources will be utilized for the eradication of dengue for the protection of human lives.

The Chief Minister further said that a vigorous public awareness campaign be launched against dengue while a competent and expert person should be appointed as head of institute of public health. He said that protection of human lives against deadly diseases is the top priority of the government. He said that all concerned departments should make complete preparation and maintain a close mutual contact for rooting out dengue.

The Chief Minister warned that no negligence will be tolerated in the measures against dengue virus. He said it is a matter of satisfaction that due to government efforts and cooperation of media there is much awareness in the masses about dengue however there is still need for further efforts for curbing this disease.

The Chief Minister said that strict implementation of anti-dengue regulations should be ensured while the process of larvae-ciding should be intensified. He said that concerned institutions should maintain coordination and strictly implement the decisions of cabinet committee. He said that action should be taken without any discrimination against the warehouses, educational institutions and other departments as are not implementing dengue regulations and arrests should be made after registration of cases. He said that town emergency committees should perform their duties with commitment and drainage of water from low lying areas should be ensured on priority in case of rains.

The Chief Minister made an appeal that the drive against dengue should be continued with a patriotic spirit and all segments of the society should remain alert and supplement the government efforts against dengue virus.